Health

Listeria gastroenteritis - old syndrome, new pathogen

Article Abstract:

A 1996 report of an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness caused by the bacterium Listeria illustrates that this organism can cause food-borne illness. The illness resulted from the consumption of chocolate milk contaminated with Listeria. Pasteurization can kill the organism, but unpasteurized milk is still sold in the US. According to US law, any food found contaminated with Listeria must be destroyed. However, it is possible that low levels of contamination are less dangerous. Listeria can also cause serious infections, especially in people with weak immune systems.

Oral ondansetron for gastroenteritis in a pediatric emergency department

Article Abstract:

A double-blind trial was conducted to determine whether a single oral dose of ondansetron, an antiemetic, improves outcomes in children with gastroenteritis. It was found that in children with gastroenteritis and dehydration, a single dose of oral ondansetron reduces vomiting and facilitates oral rehydration suggesting its suitability for use in the emergency department.

An incidence of 'Vibrio parahaemolyticus' connected gastroenteritis caused by consumption of raw Alaskan oysters is described and examined. The findings point to the escalating ocean temperatures contributing to the biggest known occurrence of 'Vibrio parahaemolyticus' in the US.